Tag Archives: Home Improvement

Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: Blood on the Wall
Author: Heather Graham
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves
Dates read: 23rd July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And, of course, because DeFeo’s ancestor, Antoine Montville, had been suspected of Satanism, but something like it.

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Synopsis

A young man just wants to build up his own cult and reputation. But when a werewolf comes to town, things are turned on their head and he finally realises that maybe he’s not been making the best decisions…

Thoughts

I really didn’t expect all of the twists and turns that reared their ugly heads throughout this short story. Every time I thought that I could predict what was going on, something else reared its head and surprised me. It was incredibly fun and welcome. I love when a story like this completely takes me by surprise.

One of the things that I love about this story is that the cultist in this story isn’t paranormal. And the one that you think is kind of normal? Not so much. It literally turns everything on its head throughout this story. In the best way possible.

This is a fantastic short story – it involves vampires, werewolves, crimes and cults. It kind of has everything that I love in a short story. Even if it is slightly, unexpectedly off-kilter to what I am used to. And all of those surprises… I’ll definitely be reading this one again!

<- Squatter’s RightsThe Mansion of Imperatives ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Squatter’s Rights by Rochelle Krich

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: Squatter’s Rights
Author: Rochelle Krich
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 29th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Eve was sure.

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Synopsis

Eve and Joe have just bought their dream house. But there is something knocking in the walls at night. Who will win this battle of wills?

Thoughts

The start of this story made me think that it was going to be kind of cute and super sweet. Turns out I was wrong. Fairly seriously wrong too to be honest. This is not a sweet short story. It does not have a happy ending. In fact, I don’t suggest reading it just before bed… there is just something goose bump creating about it that left me cringing and feeling very seriously uncomfortable.

I did guess that this story would be a little random due to the name – after all, Squatter’s Rights are based on the idea that whoever lives in a place owns the place. I didn’t realise how truly dark Krich would take the idea and the story though. How uncomfortable I would be at the end of this short story and how much I would enjoy that feeling of discomfort…

There are many things that this story touches upon. But one of the most poignant – the fact that it is seriously easy to lose trust and faith in another person. How easy it can be to manipulate someone into believing that things aren’t all as they seem and matters should possibly taken into their own hands…

<- GrayBlood on the Wall ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: Wizard Home Security
Author: Victor Gischler
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Humour, Magic
Dates read: 4th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Come now, sir.

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Synopsis

Security is important. Particularly when you’re a wizard with a number of very expensive ingredients in your house. But, when you don’t quite use the system properly and get trapped in your own security… that’s not exactly the desired outcome of home security.

Thoughts

I was laughing out loud throughout this entire short story. In fact, even a day later, when I’m writing this review, I’m still giggling. And smiling. It was just a great, humorous and fun short story. One that was funny and light. And kind of impossible to put down. Partly because of the subject matter. And partly because it was just funny.

There is something about having issues with a security system that really hits close to home. After all, everyone worries about the safety of their home. Their security. But not everyone has to deal with the issues associated with magic. And the ways in which this house is protected with a wizard home security system… that worked very well. It not only reflected issues and concerns that we all face. But it also included some great, extra aspects that are only possible in the world of fantasy.

Of everything that happened in this short story. I think that my absolute favourite was the zombie bear. Something about that imagery and battle had me seriously giggling. It was just such a random security measure and one that had a very great visual. Especially seeing as it was a second-hand zombie…

<- If I Had a HammerGray ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

If I Had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: If I Had a Hammer
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #12.5
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 9th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: There’s a reason the haunting started when the hammer came out of the wall.

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Synopsis

There’s a reason the haunting started when the hammer came out of the wall.

Thoughts

This is not the kind of short story you want to read before doing a home renovation – after all, in it, everything that can go wrong… will. But it does make it entertaining and a fun reading.

I absolutely adored Sookie in this story. She is fun, engaging and entertaining. Her strength is great. And considering I’ve only read one full-length novel, and in that she’s a little wishy washy. Yet, this short story takes place later in the series – and it highlights the strength that she finally has after she’s grown.

I love that there is a double storyline in this short story – not only is there the story line which follows Sookie and friends as they try and figure out what is going on with their mysterious guest. But there is also the tale of what actually  happened generations ago that involved a hammer and a bit of vengeance…

<- Home ImprovementWizard Home Security ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Gray by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

shifting-shadows

Title: Gray
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.6, Mercy-verse #3
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Peter didn’t talk a lot, just grunted, until they came back to the living room.

Synopsis

A vampire returns to her first home, and finds more than the memories she was seeking.

Thoughts

Although vampires have been quickly rising in popular culture, I’m still not 100% sold on the idea of a good vampire. One of the many reasons why I love the Mercedes Thompson series – the vampires aren’t purported to be anything but blood-sucking creatures that must kill humans to survive; regardless of their friendliness and moral compass. So it was a stark change of pace to read a short story where Briggs promotes sympathy for one of the living dead.

Like Silver, Gray is an origin tale about somehow loosely connected to the Mercedes Thompson universe. Elyna’s traumatic turning, her love and burning need for revenge illuminate a dark and twisted side that harms even those who achieve vampiric immortality. Her love is a constant flame that keeps hope and a little light shining throughout the tale, and although this is very much a tale about lost love and finding a new beginning, it is her love that will leave you with a small, hopeful feeling when you turn the last page of this story.

<- HomecomingFairy Gifts ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs